Ski-binder safety cable-adjuster



Dec. 12,1961 J. J. A. BEYL SKI-BINDER SAFETY CABLE-ADJUSTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 9, 1960 I N VE/V T 02. JEAN JOSEPH 41/215? 85 BY 8mm gal/"KM A T TORIV YS' Dec. 12, 1961 J. J. A. BEYL SKI-BINDER SAFETY CABLE-ADJUSTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 9, 1960 [NI/[N702 Jf/M/ JOSfP/l ALF/FED BEYL Dec. 12, 196.1 J. J. A. BEYL SKI-BINDER SAFETY CABLE-ADJUSTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 9, 1960 I/VVf/VTGE. Jf/M/ JOSE'PH ALFRED 8YL By 8m+ ATTORNEYS Dec. 12, 1961 J. J. A. BEYL SKI-BINDER SAFETY CABLE-ADJUSTER 4 Sheets-$heet 4 Filed March 9, 1960 Inven'for- Ai'Tor-nays Jean lABe y 3,012,793 Patented Dec. 12, 1961 United States Patent thee 3,012,793 SKI-EINDER SAFETY (IABLE-ADJUSTER Jean Joseph Alfred Beyl, Rue des Champ Ferrant, Nevers (Nievre), France Fiied Mar. 9, 1960, Ser. No. 13,837 9 Claims. (Cl.280-11.35)

This invention relates to ski binders and has specific reference to safety cable-adjusters for ski binders, that is, devices for tensioning the binding cable which, in certain types of ski binders, fits around the ski boot and holds the front end of the boot in a yoke or strap, or against a safety abutment adapted to release the front end of the boot in case of abnormal torsional stress. This cableadjuster is of the type comprising a pivoting control lever on which is pivoted in turn a cable tensioning member, this last-mentioned pivotal mounting being effected on a fulcrum adequately positioned with respect to the pivot axis of said lever with due consideration for the permissible direction of movement of this lever, so that the. latter is maintained with a certain resilient force in its cable tensioning position by the spring provided for exerting this tension.

More particularly, this invention is concerned with a cable-adjuster of the type broadly set forth hereinabove, which is adapted to release the boot-retaining cable in case of forward fall of the skier in order to release the heel and therefore act as a safety device adapted to avoid the serious consequences likely to arise in case of forward fall when the skiers heel is locked in position on the ski. Of course, many safety devices of this character have already been proposed. However, some of these known propositions are of relatively complicated construction. Moreover and more particularly, it is scarcely possible with most cable-adjusters of known designs to efiect a separate adjustment of the conditions of operation of the safety system incorporated therein, notably in case of for- .ward fall, and also of the conditions in which the safety cable is tensioned, for .these adjustments react with each other, thereby involving delicate and long trial-and-error operations for properly altering the two adjustments, and in addition the final result is not always very accurate and reliable.

Under these circumstances it is the object of the present invention to provide a safety cable-adjuster for ski binder which is characterized by a relatively simple design and construction affording a separate and independent adjustment of the conditions of operation respectively of the safety device and of the cable tensioning conditions.

To this end, the cable-adjuster according to this invention is characterized essentially in that it comprises one or two links pivotally mounted on the control lever at a predetermined location thereof which, with respect .to the fulcrum axis of said control lever, is opposite to the pivot axis of the cable tensioning member; coupling means are provided on this cable tensioning member and on the free ends of said pivoted links so that in case of considerable tractive effort transmitted via the fixation cable to the rear, said cable tensioning member, after a predetermined free stroke, may act upon the free ends of said pivoted I links and cause same to exert a pull on said control lever,

whereby, due to the specific position of the point of application of the tractive effort on said control lever, the latter may be lifted and thus caused to release the bootretaining cable.

1 to 4 of the drawings, and

out in practice, reference will now be made to the accompartying drawings forming part of this specification and illustrating diagrammatically by way of example a few forms of embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:

FIGURES 1 and 2 are a vertical section and a horizontal section, respectively, of a first form of embodiment of the cable-adjuster of this invention;

FEGURES 3 and 4 are vertical sections of the same device which show the relative positions of the component elements thereof during two Successive steps of its operation as a safety device;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section of another form of embodiment of a cable-adjuster according to this invention;

FIGURE 6 is a similar view of the cable-adjuster which illustrates the relative positions of the component elements thereof during its operation as a safety device;

FIGURES 7 and 8 are similar views showing a modified form of embodiment of the cable-adjuster of FIGS.

FIGURES 9 and 10 are vertical sectional views showing two modifications of the cable adjuster.

The cable-adjuster for ski binder which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings comprises a control lever 1 adapted to be lowered to the rear for tensioning a fixation cable 2 adapted to fit around the boot to be fastened. This lever is pivotally mounted about a pair of pivot pins 3 carried by the two flanges or side walls of a strap 4 pivoted in turn about pivot pins 5 carried by a bottom plate or support 6 secured on the upper face of the ski. The device for tensioning the cable 2 comprises a rod 7 on which the cable is anchored by means of a mechanism for adjusting the cable position, this mechanism consisting for example of a member 8 slidably mounted on the rod 7 and adjustable longitudinally thereto by screwing in one or the other direction a nut 9 engaging a threaded portion of the rod 7.

The inner end of this rod carries a socket 10 rigid with the rear end of a relatively strong traction coil spring 11 having its front end carried by a transverse plate 12 pivoted on trunnions 13 engaging corresponding holes formed in the control leverahead of its fulcrum pin 3. Thus, the traction rod 7 of the boot-retaining cable 2 is somewhat fulcrumed indirectly on the lever 1 about the trunnions 13 through the medium of the relatively strong coil spring 11.

As will be readily understood from the foregoing the cable 2 is tensioned by turning the control lever 1 to the rear, since this movement will move the trunnions 13 forwards. It may be noted that in the cable-tensioning position (see FIG. 1) these trunnions 13 lie at a level higher than that of the fulcrum of the control lever 1 proper. Thus, this lever is resiliently held in this position by the cable-tensioning spring 11 and cannot be raised normally unless the control lever 1 is moved manually against the resistance of the tension spring 11.

However, and according to an essential feature of this invention, two links 14 are pivotally mounted on the control lever 1 by means of pivot pins 15 located ahead of the fulcrum 3 and opposite to the trunnions 13 with respect to this fulcrum, therefore at a level lower than that of During the movement for tensioning the boot-retaining cable 2 and during the normal operation accomplished for releasing this cable, the rod 7 slides freely through the threaded socket 17 in one and the other direction, and the links 14 do not interfere whatsoever with the normal operation of the cable-adjuster.

However, if as a consequence for example of a forward fall of the skier the latter raises abnormally the heel portion of his or her boot, a considerable tractive effort is applied to the cable 2 in the direction of the arrow 1', and the rod 7 is pulled backwards against the spring 11 until the socket 10 abuts against the threaded socket 17 (see FIG. 3). From this moment on the tractive effort transmitted from the cable 2 is applied to the nut 16 and links 14, these links 14 transmitting in turn this effort to the control lever 1 at their pivot points 15 thereon. Due to the specific position of these pivot points below the level of the pivot pins 3 of the control lever, this tractive effort will raise immediately the control lever 1 in the direction of the arrow f (FIG. 4), thereby releasing the cable 2 and consequently the heel portion of the skiers boot.

With this improved cable-adjuster the detrimental consequences of a forward fall are avoided and the device acts as a safety means operating in a trouble-free, reliable manner. It may be emphasized that the structure of the device is particularly simple. However, its essential advantage resides in the independence of the means provided for adjusting on the one hand the tension of cable 2 and on the other hand the safety system. As already explained hereinabove, the tension of cable 2 may be adjusted at will by simply moving the member 3 in which the rear end of rod 7 is anchored, this movement being obtained by rotating the nut 9 in one or the other direction. Of course, these cable tension adjustment means operating through the modification of the position of the front end of the cable 2 may be replaced by any other suitable means.

Regarding the adjustment of the conditions of operation of the safety device, this may be obtained very simply by screwing more or less the threaded socket 17 left or right in the nut 16 in order to alter at will the position of the abutment member constituted by this socket, and therefore the amplitude of movement of the rod 7 which is necessary for transmitting the tractive effort of the cable 2 to the links 14 for raising the control lever 1. This adjustment may also be effected to the desired degree by the skier with a view to cause the cable release upon a more or less pronounced movement of the heel away from the ski surface. Of course, the adjustment should be such that in the cable-tensioning position there is always a gap left between the sockets 10 and 17, and that the resilient adjuster may withstand minor efforts, within the normal range of tractive efforts consistent with normal skiing conditions, without prematurely operating the device by releasing the cable in any inopportune manner.

FIGURES and 6 of the drawings illustrate another form of embodiment of the safety cable-adjuster of this invention. In this embodiment the control lever 1a of the cable-adjuster is adapted to be turned forwards for tensioning the boot-retaining cable. This lever is fulcrumed directly on a bottom support 6a by means of pivot pins 3a carried thereby. The rod In for pulling the cable 2 carries on its front end a block rigid with the rear end of a relatively strong traction coil spring 11a having its front end anchored to the bottom of a cylinder 18 pivotally mounted in the lever In by means of side trunnions 13a carried by said cylinder and engaging the side walls of the lever 1a.

Considering the direction of the pivotal movement of this control lever 1a these trunnions 13a, which lie ahead of the pivot pins 3a, are disposed at a lower level than these pins 3a and therefore the control lever 1a is normally held by a resilient force in a cable-tensioning position resulting from the interposition of the traction spring 110 (see FIGURE 5).

According to this invention, the cable-adjuster comprises in addition a pair of links 14a having their front ends pivotally mounted on the lever 1a by means of pivot pins 15a disposed forwards and on the side opposite to that of the aforesaid trunnions 13a, therefore above these trunnions. The rear ends of links 14a are pivotally mounted on a nut 16a of which the lower end rests normally on the upper face of the bottom plate or support 6a. The tapped hole of this nut is engaged by a threaded socket 17a formed with a plain longitudinal bore through which extends freely the cable tensioning rod 7a formed with a shouldered portion or collar 10b adapted to engage endwise the aforesaid threaded socket 17a.

Thus, in case of forward fall of the skier the cable 2 exerting a substantial tractive elfort on the rod 7a in the direction will cause the shoulder or collar 10b to engage the threaded socket 17a. From this moment on the tractive effort is transmitted to the links 14a and through these to the control lever 1a at 15a, thus causing this lever to rotate in the direction of the arrow f and thus the boot-retaining cable is released.

Of course, the conditions of operation of the safety device may be adjusted very easily and with the maximum precision by simply moving the abutment consisting of the threaded socket 17a, that is, by turning this socket in the nut 16a in one or the other direction. If desired, the threaded socket 17a may be dispensed with, and in this case the shoulder or collar 10b is replaced by a member longitudinally adjustable along the rod 7a, for example in the form of a nut 10c screwed on a threaded portion 70 of this rod and adapted to abut directly against the distance piece 16c between the rear ends of links 14a (see FIG. 10). Again, in the form of embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 4 of the drawings the threaded socket 17 may be dispensed with and in this case a longitudinally adjustable member, such as nut 10d, is provided on the rod 7 for hearing directly against the distance piece 16 (see FIG. 9) instead of the socket 10 which engages the threaded socket 17.

On the other hand, it will be readily understood that the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the forms of embodiments shown and described herein, as many modifications and alterations may be brought thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the cable traction member may consist, instead of a rod, of a pivoted link or a yoke also pivoted on the control lever. The pair of links 14 or 14a through which the lever-raising movement is transmitted may be replaced by a single link having the same function. As to the coupling means between the rod (or other member for pulling the traction cable 2) and the rear end of said link or links, they may also differ from those illustrated,provided that they permit the proper adjustment of the free movement of the rod or other traction member before this coupling.

On the other hand, in the case of a device wherein the control lever is adapted to pivot rearwardly, this lever 1b may also be pivoted directly on a transverse axis consisting of a pivot pin mounted directly on the bottom plate or support 617, the intermediate strap 4 being dispensed with (see FIGURES 7 and 8 of the drawings). In this case, however, the bottom plate or support 6b should be higher than in the form of embodiment shown in FIG- URES 1 to 4, in order to permit the upward movement of the control lever. In this alternate embodiment the mounting and relative positions of the different component elements (links 14b, pivot pins 15b thereof, pivot pin or trunnions 13b of the traction rod 7b) are identical with those of the form of embodiment shown in FIG- URES 1 to 4. The operation is also identical therewith (see FIG. 8).

What I claim as new is:

1. A safety cable-adjuster for a cable type ski binder, comprising a support adapted to be secured on a ski top, a control lever pivotally mounted on pivot pins carried by said support, said control lever being adapted to be folded against said support on the side opposite to the bootretaining cable, a cable-pulling member including a cable tensioning spring pivotally mounted on said control lever at a fulcrum point remote from said pivot pins of said control lever, said fulcrum point being nearer to said support than are said pivot pins when said control lever is folded against said support on the side opposite to said boot-retaining cable, at least one link having one end pivotally mounted on said control lever at a pivot point more spaced from said support than are said pivot pins when said control lever is folded against said support on the side opposite to said boot-retaining cable said fulcrum point and said pivot point being on the side of said pivot pins opposite to said cable when said lever is folded against said support, complementary coupling means provided on said cable-pulling member and on the other end of said link said means being on the cable side of said pivot pins, said means being adapted to provide a coupling action between said ca ble-pulling member and said one end of said link, after said cableapulling member has accomplished a free movement under the influence of a tractive effort, whereby, due to said coupling action, said link may exert on said control lever a traction causing same to pivot and to move away from said support in order to release said cable.

2. A safety cable-adjuster for a cable type ski binder, comprising a support adapted to be secured on a ski top, a control lever pivotally mounted on pivot pins carried by said support, said control lever being adapted to be folded down against said support on the side pointing towards the boot-retaining cable, acable-pulling member including a cable tensioning spring pivotally mounted on said iever at a point spaced from said pivot pins and more spaced from said support than are said pivot pins when said control lever is folded down against said support on the side pointing towards said cable, at least one link having one end pivotally mounted on said control lever at a point nearer to said support than are said pivot pins of said control lever when said control lever is folded down against said support on the side pointing toward said cable said fulcrum point and said pivot point being on the side of said pivot pins opposite to said cable when said lever is folded against said support, complementary coupling means provided on said cable-pulling member and on the other end of said link said means being on the cable side of said pivot pins, said means being adapted to provide an operative connection between said cable-pulling member and said first-named end of said link after said cable-pulling member has performed a free movement under the influence of a tractive effort, whereby, on account of the aforesaid coupling means, said link may exert on said control lever a traction adapted to cause same to pivot and move away from said support witha view to release said cable.

3. A safety cable-adjuster for a cable type ski binder, comprising a bottom support adapted to be secured ona ski top, a member mounted for tilting movement on said support, a control lever pivotally mounted on pivot pins carried by said tilting member and adapted to be folded down against said bottom support on the side pointing towards the boot-retaining cable, a cable-pulling member including a cable tensioning spring pivotally mounted on said control lever at a point spaced from said pivot pins and more remote from said bottom support than are said pivot pins when said control lever is folded down against said bottom support on the side pointing towards said boot-retaining cable, at least one link having one end pivoted on said control lever about a fulcrum nearer to said bottom support than are said pivot pins when said control lever is folded down against said bottom support on the side pointing towards said cable said fulcrum point and said pivot point being on the side of said pivot pins opposite to said cable when said lever is folded against said support, complementary coupling means provided bottom support, thereby releasing said boot-retaining cable.

4. A safety cable-adjuster for a cable type ski binder, comprising a support adapted to be secured on a ski top, a control lever pivotally mounted on pivot pins carried by said support and adapted to be folded down thereagainst on the side opposite to the boot-retaining cable, a cable-pulling rod, a tension spring between said lever and the end of said rod remote from said cable, said spring being pivotally mounted on said control lever about a fulcrum spaced from said pivot pins and nearer to said support than are said pivot pins when said control lever is folded down against said support on the side opposite to said boot-retaining cable, a pair of parallel links each having a first end pivotally mounted on the control lever at a point more remote from said support than are the pivot pins of said control lever when said control lever is folded down against said support on the side opposite to said boot-retaining cable said fulcrum point and said pivot point being on the side of said pivot pins opposite to, said cable when said lever is folded against said support, a distance-piece disposed between the ends of said links which are opposite to those mounted on said control lever said distance piece being on the cable side of said pivot pin, a perforation formed in said distance-piece and receiving said cable-pulling rod in free sliding engagement, a projection on said rod, said projection being adapted to bear against said distance-piece.

5. A safety cable-adjuster as set forth in claim 4, wherein the position of said projection on said cablepulling rod is adjustable along said rod.

6. A safety cable-adjuster as set forth in claim 4, wherein a socket adapted to be adjusted in the axial direction is mounted in said perforation of said distancepiece between said two links, said cable-pulling rod bein slidably engaged in said socket.

7. A safety cable-adjuster for a cable type ski binder, comprising a support adapted to be secured on a ski top, a member mounted for tilting movement on said support, a control lever pivotally mounted on pivot pins carried by said tilting member and adapted to be folded down against said support on the side pointing towards the boot-retaining cable, a cable-pulling rod, a tension spring between said lever and the end of said rod remote from said cable, said spring being pivotally mounted on said control lever at a point spaced from said pivot pins of said control lever, said point being more remote from said support than are said pivotpins when said control lever is folded down against said support on the side pointing towards said boot-retaining cable, a pair of parallel links having one end pivotally mounted on said control lever about a fulcrum nearer to said support than are said pivot pins of said control lever when said control lever is folded down against said support on the side pointing towards said boot-retaining cable said fulcrum point and said pivot point being on the side of said pivot pins opposite to said cable when said lever is folded against said support, a distance-piece interconnecting those ends of said links which are opposite to those mounted on said control lever said distance piece being on the cable side of said pivot pin, a perforation formed in said distancepiece and receiving in free-sliding engagement said cable pulling rod, a projection carried by said rod and adapted to bear against said distance-piece between said two links.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Reed Oct. 17, 1939 Eckel May 21, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS France Jan. 23, 1939 Italy Jan. 23, 1956 

